The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported 1,584 new infections, as the country’s daily COVID-19 tally continues to rise.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported 1,584 new infections, as the country’s daily COVID-19 tally continues to rise.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed 566 new cases and 11 deaths across the country on Thursday. According to the latest NCDC data, Lagos had the highest number of infections with 283 cases. Akwa Ibom followed with 88 infections, while Oyo had 62.
The NCDC, on its verified website on Thursday morning, stated that the 747 new cases were the highest in any single day in the last five months. According to the NCDC, Lagos State, the epicentre of COVID-19 in Nigeria, recorded 488 followed by Akwa Ibom 121 cases, Oyo 29, Rivers 25 and Ogun 15.
The allocation was in an effort to boost global liquidity amid COVID-19 pandemic, according to a statement released. “This is a historic decision the largest SDR allocation in the history of the IMF and a shot in the arm for the global economy at a time of unprecedented crisis,’’ said IMF Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva.
Thirty-two Delta variant cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) have been reported in five states across the country, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said.
The Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, spoke about this during the resumed briefing of the Presidential Steering Committee on Monday in Abuja. Nineteen of the cases were reported in Akwa Ibom State.
This brings the number of cases recorded in the country to 169,532 – although 164,699 have been discharged – and a death toll of 2,127. The surge in new cases comes as the Federal Government on Saturday placed six states on red alert amid fears of a third wave triggered by the Delta variant of the virus.
Disu pointed out that the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic started in Nigeria because people travelled for Christmas last December. He, therefore, urged Nigerians to avoid unnecessary trips as Sallah celebrations hold next week.
Disu said, “More importantly, Sallah is coming when people just travel and that makes the risk higher in villages, in different parts of the country. So, we need to warn people: they don’t need to travel if it is not necessary, you can celebrate where you are. During Sallah, we go to mosque in large numbers but this is the time we need to be very cautious.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the Senate said the students who tested positive for the disease, are being treated, and contact tracing already in place. “The situation is, indeed, worrisome especially noting the reluctance of the majority of students to comply with the COV1D-19 prevention protocols,” the statement read.
The Oyo State Coronavirus Task Force says it has uncovered the Delta variant of the virus in the state. A statement by Mr Taiwo Adisa, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Seyi Makinde, issued on behalf of the taskforce on Sunday in Ibadan, said the general public should be informed of the Delta variant of the virus in the state.
Adisa said the State’s Incident Manager and coordinator of the Emergency Operations Centre, Dr Olabode Ladipo, has confirmed the development.
He said the general public should take extra caution and consistently apply all precautionary measures earlier released by the task force. The statement read:
“This strain has been associated with high transmission, increase severity of infection and outcomes. “As such, this is to warn that the virus is still very much within the society.”
“All in-bound travellers should always isolate for seven days and submit themselves for tests. “The ‘Own Your Action’ (OYA) initiative of the state government should be seriously considered by adhering to the guidelines of wearing nose masks in public gatherings, washing of hands with soap and water and use of hand sanitisers, among others.
“Africa has just marked the continent’s most dire pandemic week ever. But the worst is yet to come as the fast-moving third wave continues to gain speed and new ground,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO’s regional director for Africa. Cases are doubling every 18 days, compared with every 21 days only a week ago, she said during a virtual press conference, adding that “the end to this precipitous rise is still weeks away.”
Coronavirus cases have been rising in Africa since the start of the third wave on the continent on May 3. During the week ending July 4, more than 251,000 new Covid-19 cases were recorded on the continent, a 20% increase over the previous week and a 12% jump from the previous January peak.
Nigeria has confirmed the detection of the Delta COVID-19 variant in the West African country. “The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has detected a confirmed case with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, also known as lineage B.1.617.2,” the health agency said in a statement on Thursday night.
“The variant was detected in a traveler to Nigeria, following the routine travel test required of all international travelers and genomic sequencing at the NCDC National Reference Laboratory, Abuja.” The NCDC, however, assured Nigerians that the federal government has put measures in place to combat the disease, asking them to adhere to the recommended safety protocols.